"It won't be long. And let me correct you: this isn't 'locking you up,' it's protection in another form. If the Ministry of Magic—or Hogwarts, for that matter—finds another suspect, you'll be sent back, Rubeus Hagrid. Compared with the safety of everyone at the school, this little injustice you're suffering..."
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Cornelius Fudge's mouth was like a loaded submachine gun, rattling out words. He had put Hagrid on a lofty pedestal called "public conscience," but he was only halfway through his lecture when another round of banging came from the door.
"Oh, another visitor. The Wooden Hut certainly is lively tonight. I'd better talk less in a moment, or it'll get far too noisy!"
Luo Bin thought, Isn't that a roundabout warning for the four of us to be careful and not make any noise that might attract attention?
Hagrid got up to open the door. When he saw Lucius Malfoy standing outside, he grabbed the Giant Crossbow hanging behind the door. "Out! Get out! Nobody wants you here. Get out of my house!"
Lucius's tall frame and platinum-blond hair were entirely concealed beneath a black cloak. The corners of his mouth curved upward in a cold, perversely satisfied smile.
"Cornelius, you got here before me. Good, good!"
"Oh, Rubeus Hagrid, my dear friend, allow me to be frank. I have no desire to set foot inside a house more shabby and dilapidated than the stables at Malfoy Manor."
"I merely felt a sudden urge to visit Hogwarts. A helpful teacher told me I could find Albus Dumbledore in the ramshackle hut beside the Hunting Grounds."
Dumbledore turned to look at Lucius, his light blue eyes still burning with anger. "Malfoy, what do you want with me?"
"It concerns something truly dreadful!"
Lucius's answer was completely at odds